North Bergen man appeals conviction for sexually abusing a woman on plane

NEWARK — A North Bergen man convicted of sexually abusing a sleeping woman on a cross-country flight has filed to have his conviction thrown out.

Bawer Aksal faces a maximum penalty of life in prison when he’s sentenced in December.

Aksal, a Turkish-born American citizen, was convicted in July of assaulting the woman on a United Airlines flight from Phoenix to Newark in August 2012. The woman testified Aksal fondled her breasts and stuck his other hand down her shorts and penetrated her with his fingers. A jury took eight hours over two days to come to a verdict.

In his appeal, Aksal claims the woman’s account was filled with inconsistencies. It also claims she lied when asked about a text to an FBI agent that said she’d testify if the agent helped her son with a criminal matter. The woman testified her son wrote the text.

Aksal was initally scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 23, but he is now expected to be sentenced on Dec. 4.